So something I think is an important point to raise about the free rides with the anniversary DLC and free updates in Planet Coaster that has a bearing on my own expectations for any free content:
The rides with free updates in PC were nearly always associated with a new gameplay mechanic being introduced at the same time. Frontier seems to have what I think is a really positive approach that new game mechanics should be introduced for free with updates and when they are they used to have a free ride or two that expanded the base game and made the most of the new mechanic (with the last free update it was shooting gallery rides and you got a free one with the free update). They then often associate it with a paid for DLC that expands the options to make use of the mechanic / gives more variety. Also rides in PC were important but the strong emphasis on scenery meant that comparatively most new rides without a new mechanic made the community less excited than the other types of content like full scenery expansions (even as a non-builder) so I'm not sure that I'd say the 1 species = 1 ride comparison is really true.
So if they are going to introduce water navigation or flying then I expect they would have one or two free animals that make use of the new feature but then have more variety in a paid for pack e.g. a free seal species and polar bears etc. would be updated to use the mechanic but with the paid DLC you get short clawed otters, a penguin or two etc. Flying update - a parrot species and a vulture, basic pieces to build aviaries, paid DLC with 5 extra bird species and more scenery items etc.
On the expectations of it being an anniversary update I am keeping my expectations low because a) Covid disruption! and b) the most hoped for new mechanics are also the most challenging to programme - they may have 'solved' the problem of flying or water navigation and have had time to do the work but if it's proved more difficult then I'd rather they didn't rush anything out to meet an arbitrary timeline.
Finally I would say for me personally that I appreciate new animals but if they haven't managed new navigation mechanics etc. then there is stuff I think might enhance gameplay more that might be easier to do (especially since some of it was done for Planet Coaster) like a scenario editor that I'd be more excited about than a couple of extra species even if they do round out the roster. Or introducing 'traits' as a animal behaviour influencer (as they did with guests in PC being 'thrill seekers' or 'big spenders' - animals with traits that influence how stressed they get or how much food they need 'greedy' 'scaredey cat' might be really cool).
The rides with free updates in PC were nearly always associated with a new gameplay mechanic being introduced at the same time. Frontier seems to have what I think is a really positive approach that new game mechanics should be introduced for free with updates and when they are they used to have a free ride or two that expanded the base game and made the most of the new mechanic (with the last free update it was shooting gallery rides and you got a free one with the free update). They then often associate it with a paid for DLC that expands the options to make use of the mechanic / gives more variety. Also rides in PC were important but the strong emphasis on scenery meant that comparatively most new rides without a new mechanic made the community less excited than the other types of content like full scenery expansions (even as a non-builder) so I'm not sure that I'd say the 1 species = 1 ride comparison is really true.
So if they are going to introduce water navigation or flying then I expect they would have one or two free animals that make use of the new feature but then have more variety in a paid for pack e.g. a free seal species and polar bears etc. would be updated to use the mechanic but with the paid DLC you get short clawed otters, a penguin or two etc. Flying update - a parrot species and a vulture, basic pieces to build aviaries, paid DLC with 5 extra bird species and more scenery items etc.
On the expectations of it being an anniversary update I am keeping my expectations low because a) Covid disruption! and b) the most hoped for new mechanics are also the most challenging to programme - they may have 'solved' the problem of flying or water navigation and have had time to do the work but if it's proved more difficult then I'd rather they didn't rush anything out to meet an arbitrary timeline.
Finally I would say for me personally that I appreciate new animals but if they haven't managed new navigation mechanics etc. then there is stuff I think might enhance gameplay more that might be easier to do (especially since some of it was done for Planet Coaster) like a scenario editor that I'd be more excited about than a couple of extra species even if they do round out the roster. Or introducing 'traits' as a animal behaviour influencer (as they did with guests in PC being 'thrill seekers' or 'big spenders' - animals with traits that influence how stressed they get or how much food they need 'greedy' 'scaredey cat' might be really cool).
